Churches flock for summit

BY: DAVID TAURANGA

Churches of all denominations from throughout Manukau come together as one tomorrow for a summit that celebrates mind, body and soul.

The summit is part of Counties Manukau District Health Board's LotuMoui programme and around 400 locals from more than 90 churches are expected to attend.

Run by the board’s Pacific team, LotuMoui focuses on delivering health messages and programmes to churches and their congregations through a biblical framework.

The programme is founded on scripture – "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers" – taken from 3 John 1:2

LotuMoui community development officer Saumalu Tuitama says the whole-day event at Manukau’s Pacific Events Centre has two key focuses.

"We’ll be looking at our last strategic plan, identifying what we have or haven’t met and asking them what our plan should be for the coming years.

"The summit is also a great opportunity for the LotuMoui community to celebrate and showcase their learnings and achievements to date."

Five health aspects will be focused on in morning workshops – men’s, women’s and children’s health, longterm illness and self-management education.

Tomorrow afternoon participants will break into their own ethnic groups to discuss health issues in their communities and come up with their own health plans.

Community health providers will be on hand distributing information and there will be entertainment provided by member churches.

Ms Tuitama says the Pacific team and the organising committee, made up of delegates from the different churches, are all looking forward to a great day.

"The organising committee have really taken ownership of the summit which is great for the Pacific team to see. They’ve organised everything.

"We’ve also got four churches presenting different items on the day about what they’ve learned so we’re really looking forward to watching those."

LotuMoui was founded in 2004 and provides churches with one-off funding and support to establish health programmes based on the needs of their congregations. Free workshops are provided covering issues such as being smokefree, mental health, drugs and alcohol.

Ms Tuitama says the summit is open to all churches in Manukau whether they’re part of LotuMoui or not and she’s hoping to see some fresh faces tomorrow.

"If churches want to be part of LotuMoui all they need to do is ring us. We can do a presentation to their churches and then they can get on board as well," she says.

The LotuMoui Summit runs from 9am until 4.30pm. For information about the summit call Diana Faleao on 262-9558 or email diana.faleao@cmdhb.org.nz.

To learn about LotuMoui or to register call Suzanne Nio (Manukau East) on 262-9550 or Saumalu Tuitama (Manukau West) on 262-9522.

- © Fairfax NZ News